A Thousand Splendid Suns

"There is no honor in what you have done."

"A man's heart is a wretched, wretched thing."

"I am not worthy of your forgiveness."

"I am a ghost in this house."

"Do you know what your mother told me before she died?"

"You see how she is? This is what happens when women are taught to think."

"A woman's place is in the home."

"Suffering is only suffering if it destroys you."

"Marriage can wait, education cannot."

"There is beauty in acceptance."

"This is my life, and I will live it as I see fit."

"I will not apologize for my existence."

"Love is what gives us strength."

"This is what I choose."

"I am your wife. I belong here."

"There is no God up there watching us."

"You deserve to be happy."

"I have lived a short life and done a terrible thing, but I am at peace."

"I am not going anywhere. I am staying right here."

"I will not shed a tear for you."

"When you love something, you protect it."

"I am running away from the man who has been nothing but cursed to me."

"Do you want me to tell you a story?"

"Bearing it so someone else won't have to—that is the privilege of a mother."

"I am not a practicing Muslim, but I am a Muslim."

"The weather is fine. We could go for a walk, if you like."

"I will never leave you, Mariam. I will never hurt you like he did."

"Harami. Bastard. It's what they called me."

"I cannot take this anymore. This life, this cold, heartless life."

"There is no honor in what I am about to do. But there is also no shame."